Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)
Salary

For Acute Care Nurse Practitioners, annual average wages total $89K per year. Residence and experience level each impact pay for this group, with the former having the largest influence. Job satisfaction is reported as high by the vast majority of workers. The vast majority (82 percent) of Acute Care Nurse Practitioners who took the survey are female. A large number report receiving medical coverage from their employers and a fair number collect dental insurance. This report is based on answers to PayScale's salary questionnaire.

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

Job Description for Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)

Acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) are responsible for promoting the health of patients and providing acute care. They are in charge of administering acute care medicine, performing treatments, and assessing patient needs, vital signs, and other symptoms that could indicate changes in the patient's condition. ACNPs document the patient's care plan using identified diagnoses, following doctor's orders and administrative recommendations to reach expected patient outcomes. They interact with patients and families and explain treatments in a thoughtful manner, and they report their progress to the acute care nurse manager in their organization.

ACNPs must follow all relevant safety procedures, as well as patient privacy regulations. They use a personal computer to record patient interactions, administered medication, and treatment schedules. In addition, they strive to provide a safe, comfortable, and therapeutic patient environment for patients and their loved ones. Their main duties also include monitoring the safety and effectiveness of equipment, as well as conducting patient check-ups to measure treatment performance.

A master's degree in nursing is generally required for this position. In addition, previous experience in an acute care capacity is generally required or preferred, and industry certifications may be beneficial. ACNPs must work well in a team environment to reach organizational objectives in a timely manner; however, they also need to perform effectively on their own with minimal supervision. They need to be organized, able to multitask, and in possession of excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Tasks

Order and interpret test results and recommend treatment of patients.

Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment and counsel patients.

Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.

Administer therapeutic procedures.

Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.

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Popular Skills for Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)

This chart shows the most popular skills for this job and what effect each skill has on pay.

Survey results suggest that Acute Care Nurse Practitioners put a wide range of professional skills to use. Most notably, skills in Cardiology, Emergency/Trauma, Intensive Care Unit, and Critical Care are correlated to pay that is above average. The majority of those who know Critical Care also know Acute Care and Cardiology.

Pay by Experience Level for Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)

Median of all compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime) by years of experience.

More years of relevant experience do not necessarily translate to higher paychecks. In this position, someone who has worked for fewer than five years can expect a median salary of $89K. The median for people with five to 10 years of experience is only a little bit higher at $93K. Acute Care Nurse Practitioners with one to two decades of relevant experience report an average salary of approximately $99K. Survey participants who have spent more than 20 years on the job report a predictably higher median income of $110K, demonstrating that compensation is roughly commensurate with experience in the end.

Pay Difference by Location

New York offers some of the highest pay in the country for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners, 19 percent above the national average. Acute Care Nurse Practitioners will also find cushy salaries in Houston (+7 percent), Dallas (+7 percent), Philadelphia (+6 percent), and Baltimore (+4 percent). Those in the field find the lowest salaries in Minneapolis, 11 percent below the national average. Employers also pay below the national average in Dayton (9 percent lower) and St. Louis (8 percent lower).